Task force aims to put youth to work in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotian youth can expect more support for education and training as well as better career advice, promises a new report announced by ministers Tuesday.

The Transition Task Force’s report comes at a time when youth unemployment still hovers above Canada’s national average. The report aims to combat this by offering employers a greater voice in influencing some school, college, and university programs as well as calling for upgraded high school programs to help youth transition into jobs, among a total of 15 Task Force recommendations.

“Our government is committed to seeing more young people find meaningful work here at home," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan in a statement before addressing media. "Our budget this year is investing more than $12 million in programs that provide the skills, training and experience needed to connect young people to a career here in Nova Scotia.”

The Transition Task Force was established as part of Nova Scotia's Action Plan for Education and included representation from youth and students, teachers and principals, school boards, the Nova Scotia Community College, the province’s apprenticeship system, universities, the African Nova Scotian and Mi'kmaw communities, and business and industry.

“The insight and expertise of the task force members is critical to the direction we will take to help more youth successfully move out of school into college, university, apprenticeship and the workforce,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey.

The government will provide regular updates throughout the year. Ministers have also agreed to reconvene the task force members in fall 2017 for a round table session to review progress.

The report was released five months after CBC reported that youth unemployment in Nova Scotia was at 15 per cent, still two percentage points above Canada’s national average despite a recent uptick of young Nova Scotians gaining work.

“The report contains recommendations we believe will have the most impact on helping young Nova Scotians get the education and training they need to live and work at home,” said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, president and vice-chancellor at Saint Mary's University.

Statistics Canada reported in 2015 that 1,300 more full-time jobs became available for people under 25 in professions including accounting, IT, public relations, and engineering.